Rail-joint.



Patented Aug. 22, I899;

A. J. DU'MAS.

RAIL JOINT.

.Application filed June 2, 1899.)

(No Model.)

ADOLORD J. DUMAS, OF ABBOTSFORD, VISCONSIN.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,459, dated August 22, 1899.

Application filed June 2, 1899. $e1ial No. 719,102. (N odel-J To an whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLORD J. DUMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Abbotsford, in-the county of Clark and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Rail-Joint, of which. the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in rail-joints.

The object of the present invention is to -improve the construction of rail-joints and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive one adapted to support the ends of the rails and capable of preventing the same from being broken down.

A further object of the invention is to pro-- vide a rail-joint which will afford a continuous tread and prevent the wheels of a train from coming in contact with the ends of the rails, whereby trains will be enabled to run smoothly and will be relieved of much of the joltin g.

Another object of the invention is to increase the durability of the rails, and thereby z 5 render the construction m ore economical than heretofore.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated 0 in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a rail-joint constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail perspec- V tive views of the inner and outer fishplates.

Fig. 6 is asimilar view of the base-plate. Fig.

7 is a perspective view of an end of one of 0 the rails.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 1 designate rails having their ends 2 recessed and overlapped to provide a continuous tread to prevent the wheels of a train from striking against the ends of the rails, whereby the said train is enabled to run smoothly and is relieved of much of the jarring and jolting incident to the ordinary rails. The ends of the rails are supported by a horizontal base-plate 3, which retains the upper faces or treads of the rails in the same horizontal plane and which effectually prevents one of the rails dropping below the other. .The base-plate 3, which spans the joint and which is designed to be supported by the cross-ties, is provided at opposite sides of the joint with notches 4, adapted to receive spikes for securing the rails to the cross-ties.

The recessing of the ends of the rails eX- fish-plate 8 has a substantially flat outer face and does not project beyond the upper or head portion of the rail, so that it will not form a projection to be engaged by the flanges of the car-wheels. The outer fish-plate has its central portion offset to form the recess for the reception of the enlargement of the adjacent rails, and it is not reduced or weakened by such recess. The fish-plates are provided at their lower edges or flanges with notches registering with those of the base-plate and adapted to receive the rail-spikes.

The invention has the following advantages: The rail-joint, which is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, possesses great strength and durability, and it is adapted to afford a smooth continuous tread and will prevent thewheels of the train from striking the ends of the rails. The ends of the rails are not materially weakened by the recesses,and the fish-plates are interlocked with the enlargements which reinforce the recessed ends of the rails. I

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What is claimed is- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of the rails recessed and overlapped and provided at their outer faces with enlargements located opposite the recesses,

and the fish-plates connecting the ends of the rails and provided at their inner faces with recesses receiving the said enlargements, whereby the fish-plates are interlocked with the rails, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of. the rails recessed and overlapped and provided at their outer faces with enlargements located at the webs of the rails, and the inner and outer fish-plates provided at their inner faces with recesses and interlocked with the enlargements, the recess of the outer fish-plate being formed by offsetting the latter, and the recess of the inner fish-plate being formed by reducing the same, whereby 

